Who is Shane Devon Tamura?

The Tragic Shooting in Midtown Manhattan

A tragic incident unfolded in Midtown Manhattan when a man, identified as Shane Devon Tamura, entered an office building wearing body armor and opened fire with a high-powered rifle. The attack resulted in the deaths of four individuals, including an off-duty NYPD police officer and a building security officer.

Tamura, 27, had recently lived in Las Vegas, where he was issued a concealed firearms permit by the Las Vegas Police Department. He also held a work card from the Nevada Private Investigators Licensing Board, which had since expired. His last known address was in a gated community in Las Vegas.

Background on Tamura

Tamura worked as a surveillance department employee at the Horseshoe hotel and casino in Las Vegas, according to a spokesperson for the Horseshoe. Several squad cars from the Las Vegas Metro Police were seen at the entrances to the gated neighborhood where Tamura was believed to have lived.

He completed high school in the Los Angeles area, where he was a competitive football player. A former classmate, Caleb Clarke, described him as a "goofball" and did not recall any mental health issues. Tamura played as a running back at Granada Hills Charter for part of his high school career but did not pursue a professional sports career.

The school declined to comment further due to the Family Educational Rights to Privacy Act, stating that Tamura attended the school for one semester in the fall of 2015 and has had no connection since his withdrawal a decade ago. The school expressed horror over the violence in New York and extended its deepest sympathies to the victims and their families.

Possible Motives and Mental Health Issues

Investigators found a note in Tamura's pocket claiming he suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a brain disease often linked to repeated head trauma. This condition is commonly seen in athletes and military veterans. The note asked that his brain be studied.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams suggested that Tamura was focused on the NFL agency located in the building. The Park Avenue office building houses the headquarters of the National Football League and several other major businesses. Adams noted that Tamura appeared to blame the NFL for his injury.

It remains unclear if Tamura actually suffered from CTE, as it cannot be diagnosed in a living person with certainty. However, doctors may suspect it based on symptoms and a history of head trauma.

New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch mentioned that Tamura had a documented mental health history. Law enforcement sources revealed that he had two mental health crisis holds in Nevada, one in 2022 and another in 2024. These holds allow for up to 72 hours of detention if someone is considered a danger to themselves or others.

Recent Incidents and Travel to New York

Tamura was arrested in September 2023 on suspicion of trespassing at the Red Rock Casino Resort & Spa in Las Vegas. According to a police report, he refused to provide identification when attempting to collect $5,000 in winnings. Employees asked him to leave, but he refused without his money. A police officer took him into custody after he allegedly grabbed a security officer and became obstructive.

In November 2023, the charge against Tamura was dropped when the Clark County District Attorney declined to file a complaint.

Investigations suggest that Tamura left his Las Vegas home on Saturday and began driving to New York City in a black BMW packed with guns and ammunition. His vehicle traveled through Colorado on July 26, then Nebraska and Iowa on July 27, and later in Columbia, New Jersey.

He arrived around 6:30 p.m. at the 44-story office building at 345 Park Ave. in Midtown Manhattan. After entering the building and "spraying it with gunfire," he killed three people, including off-duty NYPD Officer Didarul Islam and a building security officer, identified by his union as Aland Etienne.

The Aftermath and Ongoing Investigation

Before getting on an elevator, surveillance video captured Tamura allowing a woman to walk out of the elevator, sparing her from being shot. He then allegedly took the elevator to the offices of real estate management firm Rudin Management on the 33rd floor, where he shot and killed one additional person.

Tamura was found dead from what is believed to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The Rudin family released a statement expressing devastation over the tragedy and extending their thoughts and prayers to those affected.

Police have not yet identified why he went to that floor or if he had any connection to the company. “His motives are still under investigation, and we are working to understand why he targeted this particular location,” Tisch said.